形式 (xíng shì) — form; outer appearance (as opposed to content); (mere) formality (something done for appearance, lacking substance)
Definition
形式 emphasizes form as opposed to content (形式 vs 内容), and can mean a mere formality. 形状 and 外形 describe a physical shape; 样子 covers general appearance or manner.
noun
formouter appearance (as opposed to content)(mere) formality (something done for appearance, lacking substance)
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 形式，。Wǒ men bù néng zhī kàn xíng shì, hái yào kàn nèi róng.We can't just look at the form; we also need to look at the content.
- 形式。Zhè liǎng jiā gōng sī yòng le bù tóng de zǔ zhī xíng shì.These two companies use different organizational forms.
- 形式，。Zhè ge huó dòng zhǐ shì xíng shì, méi yǒu shí jì nèi róng.This activity is just a formality; there is no real substance.
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